Snap top, easy pouring dispensing cap

ABSTRACT

A single piece injection molded flip top cap for a beverage (or any other non-beverage) container is comprised of a base portion and a lid portion. The base portion forms a substantially large opening to allow for liquids to freely flow through the cap. When the lid is in the closed position, the contents of the container are sealed within the container. By pressing up on a thumb lever, the lid is flipped to an open position allowing the contents to be poured from the container without removing the cap from the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 08/471,743 filed on Jun. 6, 1995.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to liquid and any other non-beverage container closures. More particularly, the present invention relates to an injection molded single piece flip top cap for plastic or paper beverage or any other non-beverage containers.

[0004] 2. Problems in the Art

[0005] There are generally two types of caps presently used on beverage containers (or any other non-beverage containers made of plastic or paper), push-on caps and thread-on caps. Threaded caps generally require the cap to be aligned with the container and a rotative force be applied to the cap to insert or remove the cap from the container. Push-on caps are installed by aligning the cap with the opening of the container and applying a force to the top of the cap. To pour the contents from a container using a push-on or threaded cap, the user must remove the entire cap from the container and then pour the beverage. To close the container, the cap must be inserted on the lid and either screwed on or pushed on. One problem with these types of caps is that when the user wishes to pour the contents from the container, they must either hold on to the cap or set the cap down. It would be convenient if this were not necessary.

[0006] Another prior art cap is a combination of the snap-on and screw-off caps. This type of cap can be unscrewed from the container and snapped back on. This type of cap is easier for the consumer to replace on the container. However, the consumer still must either hold-on to the cap or set the cap down while pouring the contents from the container.

[0007] It would be desirable to have a cap that allowed the consumer to pour the contents from the container without unscrewing the lid and without separating the cap from the container.

[0008] The first plastic milk jugs were produced in 1961. Since that time, the only significant innovations to them are the threads on the lid and the use of a snap-on lid. However, these innovative designs still require the cap to be separated from the container. Companies such as Blackhawk have produced various types of caps for many years, yet have not produced a cap addressing the problems described.

[0009] Some prior art flip top caps are known to exist. However, these prior art caps have several disadvantages. First, most prior art flip top caps are not suitable for use with some containers, for example liquid containers. Some prior art caps are comprised of two piece, snap together configuration which increases the production cost and assembly cost. Also, these caps can come apart during use which is undesirable. Other prior art flip top caps are permanently affixed to the container.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A general feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top beverage container cap.

[0011] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap having a substantially large orifice to facilitate the free flow of a liquid through the cap.

[0012] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap that is comprised of a single piece of material having a living hinge.

[0013] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap that allows the user to pour a beverage or any other non-beverage from the container without removing the cap from the container.

[0014] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap having a thumb flip lever to allow the consumer to easily open the flip top cap.

[0015] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap that can be made in a one mold step.

[0016] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap that can be either a thread-on or snap-on cap.

[0017] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap having threads that are adapted to fit on existing molded containers.

[0018] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top container cap which can come in various sizes and colors to identify a variety of contents.

[0019] A further optional feature of the present invention is the provision of a flip top cap which includes a sealing ring between the lid and base.

[0020] These as well as other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following specifications and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The single piece flip top cap of the present invention is adapted to be secured to the opening of a beverage container or any other non-beverage container made of plastic or paper. The flip top cap is a single piece injection molded cap comprising a base portion and a lid portion coupled together with a hinge. The cap also includes a tamper proof ring around the cap and an optional foil seal may be used to seal the container.

[0022] The lid includes a thumb lever. By pressing upward on the lever, the lid flips open allowing the user to pour the contents of the container from the container without having to remove the cap. In one embodiment, the base portion forms an opening nearly as large as the opening in the container. When the lid is closed, the lid and base create a seal along the perimeter of the opening to seal the contents within the container.

[0023] In another embodiment, a tamper proof ring is attached between the lid and base. The lid is adapted to seal directly onto the opening in the container to seal the contents within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present invention used with a 1 gallon milk jug.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cap of the present invention in the closed position.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cap of FIG. 2 in the opened position.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a close-up view taken from line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the hinge of the cap.

[0028]FIG. 4A is a view like FIG. 4 with the lid in a partially opened position.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken from line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a sectional view like FIG. 5 with the lid in the opened position.

[0031]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cap of the present invention with a tamper proof ring between the base and the lid.

[0032]FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the cap shown in FIG. 7 including a portion of the containers

[0033]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken from line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

[0034]FIG. 10 is a cross section taken from line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

[0035]FIG. 11 shows the view of FIG. 10 with the cap in the open position.

[0036]FIG. 12 is a view like FIG. 8 with a sealing ring included.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] Various preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following detailed description. It is to be understood however, that the invention is not limited to its preferred embodiments; to the contrary, the invention includes various alternatives, modifications and equivalents within its spirit and scope as will be apparent to the skilled artisan.

[0038]FIG. 1 shows a flip top beverage (or any other non-beverage) container cap 10 attached to a beverage container 12, in this example a 1 gallon milk jug. The cap 10 is attached to the container 12 by a threaded connection or a snap-on connection. A foil seal (not shown) is attached to the container over the opening of the container to seal in the contents within the container. The cap includes a tamper proof ring 13 around the cap 10. Prior to the first use of the container, the cap 10 is twisted to break the tamper proof ring 13 so the cap 10 can be removed. The foil seal is then removed from the container 12. FIG. 2 shows the flip top cap 10 removed from the beverage container 12. The cap 10 includes a base portion 14 and a lid portion 16. The base portion 14 is cylindrical in shape and includes a number of ribbed members 18 to allow the consumer to more easily grip the base portion 14 when inserting or removing the cap 10 from the container 12. As shown in FIG. 3 an opening 20 is formed by the base portion 14. The opening 20 is made as large as possible to allow as much liquid to flow through the base portion as would flow through the top of the container 12 without the cap 10 inserted. On the inside surface of the base 14, a number of threads 22 are formed to allow the cap 10 to screw on or snap-on to the paper or plastic container 12. Note that in place of the threads 22, the cap 10 could be adapted to snap on to the container 12. When the cap 10 is attached to the container 12, the top end of the opening of the container is preferably even with the upper portion of the base 14. However, the top of the container opening could come to any point above or below the top portion of the base 14. The lid portion 16 is cylindrical in shape with one end being opened and the other end being closed. The lid 16 includes a thumb lever 24 which allows the consumer to easily manipulate the lid 16.

[0039]FIG. 4 shows a close up view of the base portion 14 and the lid portion 16. The base 14 and the lid 16 are joined together by living single piece hinge 26. The hinge 26 is comprised of a bottom portion 28 and a top portion 30. The bottom portion 28 is formed near the top of the base 14 of the cap 10. The bottom and top portions of the hinge 26 are joined together and form a single piece living hinge which makes the top 30 and bottom 28 portions moveable with respect to each other.

[0040] When the lid 16 is in the closed position the lid wall 32 is in contact with a lip 34 of the base portion 14 sealing the liquids within the container (FIG. 5). The lid 16 also creates a seal with the base 14 in the proximity of the hinge 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the lid wall 32 has a pair of wall edges 36 which form an opening in the wall 32 in the proximity of the hinge 26. As shown in FIG. 4A, as the lid 16 is closed, the wall edges 36 come into contact with the bottom portion 28 of the hinge 26 and also with the lip 34. Therefore, when the lid 16 is completely closed, the lid 16 is sealed against the lip 34 of the bottom portion 14 over the entire circumference of the cap 10.

[0041] If the cap 10 uses threads to attach to the container 12, the cap 10 preferably should be manufactured such that when the cap is in the opened position (FIG. 6), the lid 16 projects in the opposite direction of where the contents will be poured to prevent obstruction of the liquid by the lid when pouring. As seen in FIG. 1, in the closed position the thumb lever 24 is positioned on the side of the cap opposite the handle so that when the lid 16 is flipped open, the lid 16 will project towards the handle of the container 12 so that when the contents are poured, the lid 16 will be out of the way and not obstructing the flow of the contents of the container.

[0042] The flip top container cap 10 of the present invention can be any color desired. The container cap 10 can also be made of various sizes ranging from personal or individual sized containers to a gallon size or larger. Such containers would include for example, bottled water, milk, juice, sports drinks, non-carbonated beverages or any other non-beverage that retail in various sizes. Preferably, the cap 10 is a single piece, injection molded cap for blow molded or paper containers.

[0043] The flip top cap of the present invention could also be used on non-food products, for example on children's bubble solutions. The objective of this cap is the convenience of having a lid with the container at all times and the ease of opening the container. The flip top cap of the present invention would be particularly helpful to physically challenged people such as people with arthritis in their hands or wrists. The cap would also be easier for small children to use since the lid would always be attached to the container and would be easier to open and close.

[0044] The flip top container cap 10 operates as follows. The cap 10 can be made to fit on existing beverage or any other non-beverage containers. In this way, the caps 10 can either be installed on the containers as original caps, or can be inserted on the containers by the consumer after removing the original cap. Once the cap is secured to the container, the consumer will not need to remove the cap again. When the consumer wants to pour the contents from the container, the thumb lever 24 is pressed upward in relation to the container causing the lid 16 to flip in the open position (FIGS. 3 and 6). The consumer can then pour the contents from the container without holding on to the cap or setting the cap aside as is required in the prior art. Also, because of the design of the hinge 26, the lid 16 will stay in the open position (FIG. 6) without the user having to hold it open. When the user is finished pouring the contents, the lid 16 can be easily moved to the closed position (FIGS. 1 and 5) by pressing on the lid 16. When the cap 10 is in the closed position, the lid 16 and the lip 34 of the base 14 form a seal for sealing the contents in the container.

[0045]FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a flip top cap 10A which, like the cap 10, can either screw or snap on to the container 12. Cap 10A includes a base 14A connected by a hinge 26A to a lid 16A. The cap 10A is a single piece molded cap with a living hinge. The hinge 26A is comprised of a pair of angled hinge members 48 and 50 which extend from the lid 16A and base 14A and come together to form the hinge. The hinge 26A has approximately the same width as the hinge 26 shown in FIGS. 1-6. The portion of the hinge 26A where members 48 and 50 meet has a small cross section which allows the lid 16A to stay in the open position once it is opened by the user. While the hinge 26A is movable to allow the lid 16A to be opened and closed, the hinge 26A is also rigid enough that when a user applies pressure to the lid 16A in the open position, no matter where that pressure is applied, the hinge 26A will ensure that the lid 16A will engage the opening of the container 12 without the user having to align the lid 16A with the opening of the container.

[0046] The angled hinge members 48 and 50 also create a gap between the lid 16A and the base 14A. As shown in the Figures, a tamperproof seal 40 is attached to the base 14A and lid 16A between this gap. The tamper proof seal is used to indicate when the container has been opened.

[0047] Before the initial use of the cap 10A, the tamper proof seal 40 prevents the lid 16A from opening. The user can remove the tamper proof seal 40 by tearing the seal 40 away from the cap 10A. This frees the lid 16A to open. After the seal 40 is removed, there will be a gap between the base 14A and the lid 16A. Since there is no contact made between the lid 16A and the base 14A when the cap 10A is in the closed position, the lid 16A must make the seal with the container 12. This is accomplished by an annular sealing member 42 which is formed in the lid 16A around the lower inside surface of the lid 16A. When the lid 16A is in the closed position, the sealing member 42 will press against and engage with the container as shown best in FIG. 9. Note that in the Figures, a small gap is shown between the container 12 and the sealing member 42. This gap is shown for clarity only. When the lid 16A is sealed onto the container 12, the member 42 fits tightly to the container 12.

[0048] As can be seen in the Figures, when the cap 10A is used, no portion of the cap 10A will obstruct the flow of the contents from the container 12. When the lid 16A is open, the base 14A is well below the opening of the container.

[0049] A tamper proof ring 13A may optionally be included. The ring 13A functions like the ring 13 discussed above. The ring 13A prevents the cap 10A from being removed without breaking the ring 13A. Alternatively, or in addition to the ring 13A, a foil seal may be included over the top of the container.

[0050]FIG. 12 shows the cap 10A with an optional annular sealing ring 46. The sealing ring 46 will fit inside the orifice of the container as shown in FIG. 12 to seal the contents inside the container.

[0051] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth in the drawings and specification, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic or descriptive sense only and are not used for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flip top cap for a container comprising: a cylindrical base, said base being attachable to an orifice of the container; an annular lip formed in the base and extending upward from the base, said annular lip having an inside surface and an outside surface; said inside surface of said lip defining an opening in the base such that when the base is attached to the container, the opening provides a passageway from the inside of the container to the outside of the container, said passageway having a diameter defined by the orifice of the container such that the passageway provides for the free flow of the contents from the container through the orifice of the container and through the passageway; a flip top lid hingedly coupled to the base such that the flip top lid is movable between a first position and a second position, said first position being substantially parallel the base such that the lid covers the opening sufficient to contain any contents in the container, said second position being away from the opening such that the flip top cap does not substantially obstruct the pouring of the contents from the container; said flip top lid having a cylindrical lid wall having inside and outside surfaces, said inside surface engaging said outside surface of said lip when said lid is in the first position to form a seal for sealing the contents within the container without any part of the flip top lid contacting the inside surface of the lip; said annular lip and said cylindrical lid wall together substantially define the size of the flip top cap between the opening and an outermost surface of the flip top cap; wherein the base and the flip top lid are formed from a single piece of material which also forms a single piece living hinge; and a thumb flip lever formed in the flip top lid opposite the hinge for flipping the flip top lid to the second position.
 2. The flip top cap of claim 1 wherein the lid wall has a pair of wall edges in the proximity of the hinge adapted to make contact with the hinge when the lid is in the first position to seal the contents within the container.
 3. The flip top cap of claim 1 wherein the cap is adapted to attach to the container such that the hinge is opposite the side of the container from which the contents will be poured.
 4. The flip top cap of claim 1 wherein the cap is a single piece injection molded cap.
 5. A method of providing a closure to a beverage container comprising the steps of: providing a container having an orifice formed in the container for dispensing any contents of the container; providing a cylindrical shaped threaded coupling formed at the orifice; providing a cylindrical base adapted to attach to the threaded coupling, said cylindrical base having a height corresponding to the length of the threaded coupling and having a thickness substantially the same as the thickness of the threaded coupling such that when the cylindrical base is attached to the threaded coupling the base substantially conforms to the shape and dimensions of the threaded coupling; providing a single piece injection molded flip top cap including the cylindrical base and a lid hingedly coupled to the cylindrical base and having an opening formed in the base in communication with the orifice of the container, said opening being as large as the orifice of the container such that the opening does not inhibit the free flow of the contents through the orifice of the container, said lid having a first position substantially parallel to the base such that the lid covers the opening sufficient to contain the contents within the container, said lid having a second position away from the base; attaching the cap to the container in the proximity of the orifice; moving the lid to the first position when it is desired to seal the contents within the container; and moving the lid to the second position when it is desired to remove the contents from the container.
 6. A method of claim 5 wherein the container is a beverage container.
 7. A method of claim 6 wherein the beverage container is a milk jug.
 8. A combination of a beverage container and a flip top cap for the beverage container comprising: a container having a cylindrical shaped orifice wall defining an orifice; a cylindrical base, said base being attachable to the orifice of the container, said cylindrical base having an inside surface and an outside surface, said inside surface having threads adapted to secure to said container, said outside surface forming a skirt, said outside surface being only slightly larger than the cylindrical shaped orifice wall of the container and substantially defining an outermost dimension of the flip top cap such that the cylindrical base substantially conforms to the shape of the cylindrical shaped orifice wall; an opening formed in the base to provide a passageway from the container through the base when the base is attached to the container, said passageway being as large as the diameter of the orifice of the container such that when liquids are poured from the container the flip top cap does not obstruct the flow of liquid through the orifice; a flip top lid hingedly coupled to the base such that the flip top lid is movable between a first position and a second position, said first position being substantially parallel the base such that the lid covers the opening sufficient to contain any contents in the container, said second position being away from the opening such that the flip top cap does not substantially obstruct the pouring of the contents from the container, said flip top lid having a round top surface and an outside cylindrical wall formed at the edge of the round top surface, wherein said cylindrical wall engages the cylindrical base in the first position to form a seal between the base and the lid and wherein there is no structure extending downward from the top surface of the lid within the outside cylindrical wall; and wherein the base and the flip top lid are formed from a single piece of material which also forms a single piece living hinge.
 9. The flip top cap of claim 8 wherein the base is threadably attached to the container.
 10. The flip top cap of claim 8 wherein the container includes a handle.
 11. The flip top cap of claim 10 wherein the cap is adapted to be attached to the container such that the hinge is on the same side of the container as the handle.
 12. The flip top cap of claim 8 wherein the container is a blow molded container.
 13. The flip top cap of claim 8 wherein the container is a paper container.
 14. The flip top cap of claim 8 wherein the container is a beverage container.
 15. The flip top cap of claim 14 wherein the beverage container is a milk jug.
 16. The flip top cap of claim 8 wherein said skirt has a height corresponding to the length of threads formed on the container.
 17. The flip top cap of claim 8 wherein said opening is large enough that said cylindrical base does not effect the flow of liquid through the orifice of the container.
 18. A flip top cap for a container comprising: a cylindrical base, said base being attachable to an orifice of the container, the cylindrical base being positioned below the orifice of the container when the base is attached to the container such that the base does not obstruct the free flow of the contents from the container through the orifice of the container; a flip top lid hingedly coupled to the base such that the flip top lid is movable between a first position and a second position, said first position being substantially parallel the base such that the lid, covers the orifice of the container, said second position being away from the orifice of the container such that the flip top cap does not substantially obstruct the pouring of the contents from the container; a removable tamper proof ring disposed between and coupled to the base and the flip top lid to secure the flip top lid in the first position; wherein the base, the flip top lid, and tamper proof ring are formed from a single piece of material which also forms a single piece living hinge.
 19. The flip top cap of claim 18 further comprising an annular seal formed on the flip top lid for sealing the flip top lid to the orifice of the container by engaging a mating annular grove formed on the orifice of the container.
 20. The flip top cap of claim 18 wherein the cylindrical base and flip top lid are disposed in a spaced relation forming a gap between the base and flip top lid when the flip top lid is in the first position.
 21. The flip top cap of claim 20 wherein the removable tamper proof ring is disposed in the gap.
 22. The flip top cap of claim 18 wherein the cylindrical base and flip top lid each have top and bottom edges, wherein the removable tamper proof ring is attached to the top edge of the cylindrical base and to the bottom edge of the flip top lid.
 23. The flip top cap of claim 18 further comprising a second removable tamper proof ring coupled to the base.
 24. The flip top cap of claim 18 wherein the orifice of the container includes an inside surface, the flip top cap further comprising an annular sealing ring formed on the flip top lid for engaging the inside surface of the orifice of the container to seal the contents within the container.
 25. The flip top cap of claim 18 wherein the living hinge includes a pair of opposing angled hinged members, wherein the angled hinge members define a gap between the base and the flip top lid when the flip top lid is in the first position.
 26. The flip top cap of claim 25 wherein the angled hinged members are each rigid. 